John Boehner Was Once ‘Unalterably Opposed’ To Marijuana. He Now Wants It To Be Legal

John Boehner has been known to enjoy the occasional adult beverage. He famously nicknamed his negotiations over raising the nation’s debt ceiling in 2011 the “Nicorettes and Merlot sessions.” Nicorette because that’s what President Obama would chew during the talks. Merlot because that was the drink of choice for the former speaker of the House.

These days, the Ohio Republican has expanded his view of what should and should not count as a socially acceptable vice. He’s no longer just a wine enthusiast. Rather, he’s emerged as one of the most vocal advocates in the GOP for marijuana legalization.

To be sure, Boehner says he has never tried marijuana. “I’ve never used the product. I really have no plans to use the product,” he told host Michel Martin in an interview for NPR’s All Things Considered. “But if other people use the product,” Boehner said, “who am I to say they shouldn’t?”